Period House
Uncover something new every time you visit with our ever-changing historical tours.
Visiting our 1917 Tudor Revival Period House offers more than just a glimpse of turn-of-the-century architecture; it’s a chance to connect with the region’s history and the roots of our modern lives. Inspired by the rotating collections on view, our Guided and Self-Guided Tours immerse you in the stories and architecture of the past while offering a fresh historical perspective with each visit. Learn more about this iconic house and schedule your tour today.
Please note, the Period House will be closed for tours October 1-November 21, 2026.
American Innovations Tour: The Making of the Modern Home
In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, Arts & Education at the Hoyt, in partnership with Visit Lawrence County, introduces the American Innovation Tour, a new self-guided experience through the Period House that explores how early 20th century breakthroughs were reshaping American life at home. The tour will serve as a foundation for gallery talks, family workshops and free admission days throughout the year, offering visitors of all ages continual opportunities to engage in the stories behind our country’s pioneering spirit.
At first glance, the Alex Crawford Hoyt mansion might feel like a nod to the past. Its Tudor Revival architecture reflects Old World influences and traditional craftsmanship.
But beneath that historic exterior, the family embraced the latest cutting-edge technology of the day.
Completed in 1917, the home featured electricity, indoor plumbing, a telephone, central vacuuming, a refrigeration room, a freight elevator, and commercial laundry equipment long before these modern conveniences were commonplace in the average American home.
Visitors can uncover the continuing influence of these advancements on shifting cultural norms through the 1950s in text panels alongside featured examples of the radio, television, the telephone, kitchen appliances and more. Innovation did not just change behaviors and cultural norms but helped establish our national identity.
Knock on Wood: Early American Taboos & Superstitions
"Knock on wood." Most of us have said it after sharing good news or expressing hope for the future, instinctively tapping a wooden surface to avoid tempting fate. Few realize this common expression has roots stretching back thousands of years to cultures that believed trees possessed powerful spiritual forces capable of offering protection and good fortune. Though the beliefs evolved over time, the practice endured—and remains one of many superstitions that continue to shape our daily lives.
As you explore the former home of Alex Crawford Hoyt and his wife, June, you'll discover some of the fascinating taboos and superstitions that influenced everyday life in the early twentieth century. Rather than focusing on the family or the architecture, this tour uses the Hoyt residence as a backdrop for examining the customs, rituals, and beliefs that helped people make sense of an uncertain world. Some may seem strange, others surprisingly familiar, but all reveal a timeless human desire to attract good fortune and avoid misfortune.
About the Period House
To the right of our terraced breezeway stands the Alex Crawford Hoyt Period House, a historic home where its namesake once lived with his wife, June.
Designed by Frank Foulk, a prominent architect from New Castle, both of our Center’s manor houses are beautiful examples of the Revival Styles popular at the turn of the century. Thoughtfully preserved and furnished, Alex Crawford Hoyt’s home remains a picture of upper-middle-class life in Lawrence County in the early 20th century. Today, the 1917 Tudor Revival home is a highlight of New Castle’s North Hill Historical District, a remarkable 91-block neighborhood reflecting New Castle's industrial prosperity from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. But behind the historic exterior is a house that was ahead of its time.
Touring the Period House
As you tour the Period House, you’ll discover gorgeous examples of Tudor architecture alongside conveniences considered cutting-edge for the time. From electricity and plumbing to a private telephone room, the Hoyts embraced the innovations of a new, modern era long before they appeared in the average American home.
The Period House is also home to our permanent art collection, including notable works by Thomas Barnett, Charlotte Buell Coman, Percival Rosseau, and Emile Louis Picault. From the sweeping main stairwell to the servants' quarters, each room brings to life different facets of 20th-century art, history and daily life.
History & Architecture
Spanning 12,500 square feet, the mansion took nearly three years and over $250,000 to complete. It was finished in January 1917, just before the United States entered World War I. Alex Crawford Hoyt, a Yale-educated banker and business leader, commissioned the house using part of the inheritance he received from his father, an influential industrialist and financier. Nicknamed “Seven Gables” by June Hoyt, the russet-brick home also features a porte-cochère and adjacent carriage house. Inside, you’ll find walnut paneling, leaded glass, and handcrafted details, including a carved monogram nestled between the balusters of the grand staircase.
Over 100 years after its construction, the Period Home continues to bridge past and present, welcoming thousands of visitors year-round to walk its rooms and discover its stories.
Educator Resources
Lesson Plans
To extend learning beyond the gallery, K–12 lesson plans connected to the American Innovation Tour are available for both classroom and home use online. Download them now for free!
Group Tours & Activities
Bring your class, scout troop, homeschool group, or community organization to the Hoyt for an engaging group experience centered on the American Innovation Tour. Designed for groups of 10 or more, this guided tour explores how early 20th-century inventions and technologies transformed everyday life at home. Each visit includes a corresponding hands-on activity that reinforces key themes from the tour, encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. Group tours are available for $10 per person and can be tailored to a variety of ages and learning levels. To schedule, contact us.
The year-long America250 celebration is made possible, in part, through the support of Visit Lawrence County, reinforcing the region’s commitment to heritage tourism, education, and community engagement.
